The Servicemen's Opportunity College Program: An Evaluation. Research Memorandum No. 74-14.

Casserly, Patricia Lund

Educational Testing Service studied the Servicemen's Opportunity College (SOC) Program at nine different military installations and their surrounding SOC colleges. Members of the Armed Forces (stratified by sex, age, years in service, and rank) were interviewed regarding their educational background, decision to enter the service, reasons for going to school, and problems they encountered in returning to school. Problems usually involved lack of study time, scheduling difficulties, and difficulty in obtaining transcripts from all schools attended. In spite of these difficulties, however, many service people are attending courses to further their education. Many subjects had recommendations for improvement of the program such as allowing time off for those attending classes and improved information dissemination about the SOC. As a result of SOC participation, many colleges have effected changes in educational policy involving residency requirements, CLEP examinations, and restructuring of course length, thus making it easier for the geographically mobile service members to secure an education. Many have decided to reenlist to take advantage of this educational opportunity. SOC has apparently been successful as evidenced by those persons interviewed. (SM)